Hurricane Isabel may throw a wrench into tailgating during Saturday's Kent State football game, as predicted heavy rains Friday would cause ground saturation and possible flooding.
Isabel, which has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 2 hurricane, is churning its way towards the mid-Atlantic states. It is projected to track over central Pennsylvania, after hitting the coast between South Carolina and Virginia sometime tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service.
"Assuming that it doesn't speed up too much, I would guess we experience 30 to 40 mph winds -- a marginal tropical storm," Penn State meteorology professor William Frank said. "The biggest concern isn't wind, but heavy rainfall on the already saturated ground, causing freshwater flooding."
The Centre County Emergency Management Agency is predicting a severe impact in the Centre County area, specifically in low-lying areas where streams meet. This could cause basement and home flooding, said Jon Eich, director of administrative services.
"I think it may discourage people from attending the game, because if the rain hits here, everything will be runoff," Eich said.
Penn State is in the process of refining plans to accommodate football game parking, said Herb Schmidt, associate director of athletics.
"The biggest concern is motor homes, which we plan on being able to accommodate," Schmidt said. "We encourage people to park at hotels, and make use of the shuttle systems in place to avoid running the risk of being stuck."
If the anticipated three to five inches of rain hit Centre County, Eich predicts the worst flooding the area has seen in 10 to 15 years.
"Even two inches will cause typical street flooding. Intersections like University [Drive] and Westerly Parkway will be impassable," Eich said.
Once Isabel hits the coast, it will lose strength as the pressure begins to rise and winds drop, Frank said, comparing the winds to a winter storm.
Frank said if the storm follows its projected path over the Carolinas, Virginia, then through central and western Pennsylvania, there will be flood advisories throughout the state.
